What Is a Dosha?
In Vedic astrology, a doshais a planetary configuration, either in the natal chart or by transit, that introduces friction, delay, or karmic testing into specific life domains. The word literally means "fault" or "blemish," but in classical Jyotish tradition it carries a more nuanced meaning: a conditional weakness that emerges when certain planets occupy certain positions, producing predictable patterns of challenge in the native's life. Every major dosha has a precise technical definition drawn from foundational texts such as Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Phaladeepika, and Saravali. Crucially, every dosha also has documented cancellation rules, exceptions under which the dosha does not form or is significantly mitigated, and a full suite of classical remedies. Doshas should not be read as fixed destiny. They are karmic indicators that respond to conscious remedial effort, disciplined practice, and, in many cases, specific planetary conditions that neutralise them entirely. The six doshas covered here , Mangal, Kaal Sarp, Shani Sadesati, Pitra, Guru Chandal, and Grahan, together account for the vast majority of dosha-related concerns in contemporary Vedic practice.
The Six Major Doshas
Mangal Dosha
Manglik Dosha · Kuja Dosha
Mars (Mangal/Kuja) placed in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, or 12th house from the Lagna, Moon, or Ven…
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Kaal Sarp Dosha
Kalsarp Dosh · Kala Sarpa Yoga
All seven classical planets (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn) falling within one ha…
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Shani Dosha (Sadesati)
Sadesati · Sade Sati
Saturn's transit through the sign immediately before the natal Moon sign, the natal Moon sign itself…
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Kemdrum Yoga
Kemadruma Yoga · Kemadrum Dosh
Moon has no planet in the 2nd or 12th house from it in the birth chart. Neither the Sun nor Rahu-Ket…
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Pitra Dosha
Pitru Dosha · Pitri Dosha
Sun conjoined or aspected by Rahu/Ketu or Saturn, particularly in the 9th house (house of father and…
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Nadi Dosha
Naadi Dosha · Nadi Mahadosha
Both bride and groom sharing the same Nadi (Aadi, Madhya, or Antya) in the Ashtakoot matching system…
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Guru Chandal Dosha
Guru Chandal Yoga · Jupiter-Rahu Dosha
Conjunction of Jupiter (Guru) with Rahu or Ketu in any house of the birth chart. The yoga is stronge…
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Bhakoot Dosha
Bhakoot Dosh · Rashi Bhakoot Dosha
Inauspicious positional relationship between the Moon signs (Rashi) of the prospective bride and gro…
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Grahan Dosha
Eclipse Dosha · Surya-Rahu Dosha
Conjunction of the Sun or Moon with Rahu or Ketu in the birth chart, replicating the energetic signa…
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Kemdruma Dosha
Kemadruma Dosha · Kemdrum Yoga
Formation when the Moon is isolated in the birth chart, no planet (excluding Sun, Rahu, and Ketu in …
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Gandmool Dosha
Gand Mool Dosha · Moola Dosha
Birth in one of the six Gandmool Nakshatras, Ashwini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Moola, or Revati. T…
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Shrapit Dosha
Shrapit Yoga · Saturn-Rahu Dosha
Conjunction of Saturn (Shani) and Rahu in any house of the birth chart, indicating an inherited karm…
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Angarak Yoga
Mars-Rahu Conjunction · Angarak Dosha
Mars (Mangal) and Rahu conjunct in the same sign in the birth chart, especially potent in the 1st, 4…
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Vish Yoga
Visha Yoga · Saturn-Moon Conjunction
Saturn (Shani) and Moon (Chandra) conjunct in the same sign or house in the birth chart.…
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Daridra Yoga
Poverty Yoga · Daridra Dosha
Jupiter or the lord of the 11th house placed in the 6th, 8th, or 12th house; or multiple wealth-sign…
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Kemdrum Dosha (Variants)
Kemadruma Yoga · Kemdrum Dosha
Moon has no planets in the 2nd and 12th houses from it (primary definition); variant forms include M…
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Chandal Dosha
Guru Chandal Yoga · Chandala Yoga
Rahu conjunct or closely aspecting Jupiter (Guru) in the birth chart, forming Guru Chandal Yoga, kno…
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Nadi Dosha, Aadi Nadi
Adi Nadi Dosha · Vata Nadi Dosha
Both partners belong to the Aadi (Vata) Nadi, meaning their birth Nakshatras fall in the first of th…
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Nadi Dosha, Madhya Nadi
Madhya Nadi Dosha · Pitta Nadi Dosha
Both partners belong to the Madhya (Pitta) Nadi, meaning their birth Nakshatras are: Bharani, Mrigas…
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Nadi Dosha, Antya Nadi
Antya Nadi Dosha · Kapha Nadi Dosha
Both partners belong to the Antya (Kapha) Nadi, meaning their birth Nakshatras are: Krittika, Rohini…
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Pitra Dosha (Sun)
Surya Pitra Dosha · Solar Ancestral Dosha
Sun afflicted by malefics (Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, or Mars) in the natal chart, especially in the 1st, 9…
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Pitra Dosha (Rahu)
Rahu Pitra Dosha · Pitru Shaap Rahu
Rahu placed in the 9th house of the natal chart, indicating an unresolved ancestral curse from the p…
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Solar Grahan Dosha
Surya Grahan Dosha · Solar Eclipse Dosha
Sun conjunct Rahu or Ketu in the natal chart, forming a solar eclipse configuration, particularly po…
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Mangal Dosha, 1st House
Lagna Mangal Dosha · First House Mars Dosha
Mars (Mangal) placed in the 1st house (Lagna) of the natal chart, counted from the Ascendant, Moon, …
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Mangal Dosha, 4th House
Fourth House Mars Dosha · Sukha Bhava Mars
Mars (Mangal) placed in the 4th house of the natal chart from the Lagna, Moon, or Venus, the house o…
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Mangal Dosha, 8th House
Eighth House Mars Dosha · Randhra Mangal Dosha
Mars (Mangal) placed in the 8th house (Randhra Bhava) of the natal chart from Lagna, Moon, or Venus,…
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Mangal Dosha, 7th House
Kuja Dosha 7th · Chevvai Dosham 7th
Mars (Mangal) placed directly in the 7th house from Lagna, Moon, or Venus, the house of marriage, pa…
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Mangal Dosha, 12th House
Kuja Dosha 12th · Manglik 12th House
Mars (Mangal) placed in the 12th house from Lagna, Moon, or Venus, the house of bedroom, foreign lan…
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Lunar Grahan Dosha
Chandra Grahan Dosha · Moon Eclipse Dosha
Moon conjunct Rahu or Ketu (within 10–12 degrees) in the birth chart, creating the symbolic conditio…
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Shakat Yoga
Shakat Dosha · Wheel of Fortune Dosha
Moon placed in the 6th, 8th, or 12th house from Jupiter in the birth chart, breaking the natural tri…
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Dur Yoga
Dura Yoga · Dusthana Lord Yoga
Lord of the 10th house conjoined with or aspected by the lord of the 6th, 8th, or 12th house, linkin…
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Sarpa Dosha
Naga Dosha · Serpent Curse Dosha
Rahu or Ketu placed in the 1st house (ascendant/lagna), or Rahu/Ketu conjunct the Moon in the birth …
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Gandmool Dosha, Jyeshtha Nakshatra
Jyeshtha Gandmool · Jyeshtha Mool Dosha
Birth with the Moon in Jyeshtha nakshatra (16°40′ to 30°00′ Scorpio), one of the six Gandmool naksha…
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Gandmool Dosha, Moola Nakshatra
Moola Gandmool · Mula Nakshatra Dosha
Birth with the Moon in Moola nakshatra (0°00′ to 13°20′ Sagittarius), the nineteenth nakshatra at th…
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Gandmool Dosha, Revati Nakshatra
Revati Gandmool · Revati Mool Dosha
Birth with the Moon in Revati nakshatra (16°40′ to 30°00′ Pisces), the twenty-seventh and final naks…
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Shani Sade Sati Dosha
Sade Sati · Saturn 7.5-year Transit
Saturn transiting through the 12th, 1st, and 2nd houses from the natal Moon, a journey of approximat…
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Shani Dhaiya Dosha
Shani Dhaiya · Kantaka Shani
Saturn transiting through the 4th or 8th house from the natal Moon, each passage lasting approximate…
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Dwadasha Dosha
12th House Affliction · Vyaya Dosha
Malefic planets (Saturn, Mars, Rahu, Ketu, or Sun) placed in the 12th house from Lagna, or the 12th …
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Ashtama Dosha
8th House Affliction · Mrityu Bhava Dosha
Malefic planets (Saturn, Mars, Rahu, Sun) placed in the 8th house from Lagna, or the 8th lord severe…
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Shashtha Dosha
6th House Affliction · Ripu Bhava Dosha
Malefic planets (Mars, Saturn, Rahu, Sun) placed in the 6th house from Lagna in severe affliction, o…
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Guru Dosha
Jupiter Dosha · Brihaspati Dosha
Jupiter debilitated (in Capricorn), combust (within 11 degrees of the Sun), conjunct or aspected by …
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Guru Chandal Variants
Guru Chandal Yoga · Jupiter-Rahu Conjunction
Jupiter conjunct Rahu (within the same house) placed specifically in the Kendra houses, 1st (Lagna),…
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Budha Dosha
Mercury Dosha · Budha Pap
Mercury debilitated (in Pisces), conjunct or aspected by malefics (Saturn, Mars, Rahu, Ketu, or seve…
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Shukra Dosha
Venus Affliction · Shukra Pida
Venus (Shukra) afflicted by malefic planets, conjunct or aspected by Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, or Mars, or…
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Chandra Dosha
Moon Affliction · Chandra Pida
Moon (Chandra) afflicted by malefic planets, especially Saturn (Vish Yoga), Rahu (Grahan Yoga), or M…
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Surya Dosha
Sun Affliction · Surya Pida
Sun (Surya) afflicted by Saturn (Shrapit Yoga or opposition), Rahu (Grahan Yoga, solar eclipse combi…
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Rahu Dosha
Rahu Affliction · Dragon's Head Dosha
Rahu placed in the 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th, or 12th house, or conjunct the ascendant lord, Sun, or Moon i…
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Ketu Dosha
Ketu Affliction · Dragon's Tail Dosha
Ketu placed in the 1st, 4th, 5th, 7th, or 8th house, or conjunct the Moon, Mercury, or ascendant lor…
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Rahu-Ketu Axis Dosha
Nodal Axis Dosha · Rahu Ketu Dosha
Rahu and Ketu aligned across the 1-7, 2-8, or 4-10 house axis, creating a karmic polarity that simul…
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Pitra Dosha, Cancer Ascendant
Pitru Dosha Cancer Lagna · Pitra Dosh Karkata Lagna
Sun placed in the 2nd house (Leo) in a Cancer ascendant chart, or afflictions to the Moon (lagna lor…
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Pitra Dosha, Leo Ascendant
Pitru Dosha Leo Lagna · Pitra Dosh Simha Lagna
Sun as the lagna lord of Leo afflicted by Rahu, Ketu, or Saturn, particularly in the 1st, 5th, 9th, …
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Pitra Dosha, Virgo Ascendant
Pitru Dosha Virgo Lagna · Pitra Dosh Kanya Lagna
Mercury rules both the 1st house (Virgo) and the 10th house (Gemini), while the Sun rules the 12th h…
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Pitra Dosha, Capricorn Ascendant
Pitru Dosha Makar Lagna · Capricorn Pitra Dosha
Sun afflicted by Rahu, Ketu, or Saturn in the chart of a Capricorn ascendant, with maximum intensity…
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Pitra Dosha, Aquarius Ascendant
Pitru Dosha Kumbh Lagna · Aquarius Pitra Dosha
Sun afflicted by Rahu, Ketu, or Saturn in the chart of an Aquarius ascendant, with maximum intensity…
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Pitra Dosha, Pisces Ascendant
Pitru Dosha Meen Lagna · Pisces Pitra Dosha
Sun afflicted by Rahu, Ketu, or Saturn in the chart of a Pisces ascendant, with concentrated effect …
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Rajju Dosha
Rajju Mismatch · Rope Dosha
Both prospective partners sharing the same Rajju group in the Ashtakoot kundli milan system. The 27 …
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Vedha Dosha
Vedha Nakshatra Conflict · Obstruction Dosha
The Janma Nakshatra of one partner being in a Vedha (obstruction) pair with the Janma Nakshatra of t…
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Gana Dosha
Gana Mismatch · Nature Incompatibility
A mismatch between the Gana (temperamental nature) of the two partners in the Ashtakoot kundli milan…
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Shukra Ast Dosha
Venus Combust Dosha · Shukra Moudyami Dosha
Venus (Shukra) falling within 10 degrees of the Sun in the birth chart, rendering it combust (ast) a…
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Budha Ast Dosha
Mercury Combust Dosha · Budha Moudyami Dosha
Mercury (Budha) falling within 14 degrees of the Sun in the birth chart, rendering it combust, thoug…
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Graha Yuddha Dosha
Planetary War Dosha · Graha Yuddha Yoga
Two planets (excluding the Sun and Moon) coming within 1 degree of each other in the birth chart, cr…
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Paap Kartari Yoga
Papakartari Dosha · Scissors Dosha
Natural malefics (Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, and sometimes waning Moon) flanking a house or plan…
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Graha Malika Dosha
Grahamalika Yoga · Planet Chain Dosha
All seven classical planets occupying consecutive houses in the birth chart, forming an unbroken cha…
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Nirjala Dosha
Grahan Dosha at Birth · Eclipse Birth Dosha
Birth occurring during a solar eclipse (Surya Grahan, Sun conjunct Rahu or Ketu within orb) or a lun…
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Abhukta Moola Dosha
Moola Dosha · Ganda Moola Dosha
Birth in the first 4 ghatikas (approximately 96 minutes) of Moola nakshatra (19th nakshatra, ruled b…
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Tithi Dosha
Rikta Tithi Dosha · Chaturdashi Dosha
Birth on a Rikta tithi, the 4th (Chaturthi), 9th (Navami), or 14th (Chaturdashi) lunar day of either…
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Vara Dosha
Dina Dosha · Vara Janma Dosha
Birth on a weekday (vara) whose ruling planet is simultaneously weak, debilitated, combust, or poorl…
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Shashtesh Lagna Dosha
6th Lord in 1st House Dosha · Shashtesh in Lagna
The lord of the 6th house (Shashtesh) occupying the 1st house (Lagna) in the natal chart, bringing t…
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Ashtamesh Lagna Dosha
8th Lord in 1st House Dosha · Ashtamesh in Lagna
The lord of the 8th house (Ashtamesh) placed in the 1st house (Lagna) in the natal chart, directing …
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Dwadashesh Lagna Dosha
12th Lord in 1st House Dosha · Dwadashesh in Lagna
The lord of the 12th house (Dwadashesh) placed in the 1st house (Lagna) in the natal chart, channell…
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Pitra Dosha (Libra Ascendant)
Tula Lagna Pitra Dosha · Libra Lagna Ancestral Dosha
Sun afflicted by Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, or Mars in the natal chart of a Libra ascendant native, particu…
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Pitra Dosha (Scorpio Ascendant)
Vrishchik Lagna Pitra Dosha · Scorpio Lagna Ancestral Dosha
Sun afflicted by Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, or Mars in the natal chart of a Scorpio ascendant native, parti…
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Pitra Dosha (Sagittarius Ascendant)
Dhanu Lagna Pitra Dosha · Sagittarius Lagna Ancestral Dosha
Sun afflicted by Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, or Mars in the natal chart of a Sagittarius ascendant native, p…
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Pitra Dosha, Aries Ascendant
Pitru Dosha Mesh Lagna · Aries Lagna Pitra Dosha
Pitra Dosha in an Aries ascendant chart arises when the Sun (ruling the 5th house of progeny, intell…
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Pitra Dosha, Taurus Ascendant
Pitru Dosha Vrishabha Lagna · Taurus Lagna Pitra Dosha
Pitra Dosha in a Taurus ascendant chart is triggered when the Sun (ruling the 4th house of home, mot…
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Pitra Dosha, Gemini Ascendant
Pitru Dosha Mithuna Lagna · Gemini Lagna Pitra Dosha
Pitra Dosha in a Gemini ascendant chart manifests when the Sun (ruling the 3rd house of communicatio…
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Neecha Graha Dosha
Debilitation Dosha · Neecha Dosha
A planet placed in its sign of debilitation in the natal chart: Sun in Libra, Moon in Scorpio, Mars …
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Papasahita Chandra Dosha
Papakartari Moon · Hemmed Moon Dosha
Moon hemmed between malefic planets, Mars, Saturn, Rahu, or Ketu occupying the signs immediately bef…
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Shishta Dosha
Residual Dosha · Remaining Dosha
The portion of a primary dosha (Mangal, Kaal Sarp, Pitra, Shani, Grahan, or Guru Chandal) that persi…
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Guru Chandal Kendra Dosha
Jupiter Rahu Kendra Dosha · Guru Rahu Angular Dosha
Guru Chandal Kendra Dosha forms when Jupiter conjuncts or is closely aspected by Rahu in one of the …
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Shakata Yoga Dosha
Shakata Dosha · Moon Jupiter 6-8-12 Dosha
Shakata Yoga Dosha forms when the Moon is placed in the 6th, 8th, or 12th house from Jupiter. These …
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Badhaka Dosha
Badhaka Graha Dosha · Obstacle House Dosha
Badhaka Dosha arises when the Badhaka planet (ruler of the Badhaka house specific to each ascendant)…
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dosha in Vedic astrology?
A dosha in Vedic astrology is a specific planetary configuration or transit that introduces friction, delay, or karmic challenge into one or more life domains. Doshas are not permanent curses, classical texts provide detailed cancellation rules and remedies for each. The word "dosha" literally means fault or blemish, but in astrological context it refers to a conditional weakness that can be addressed through appropriate remedies.
Are all doshas equally serious?
No. The severity of any dosha depends on multiple factors: the strength of the afflicting planet, the house it occupies, cancellation rules that apply, and the overall chart strength. Many people with Mangal or Kaal Sarp Dosha have one or more exceptions that neutralise the dosha entirely. Always analyse the full chart before assuming a dosha is active.
Can doshas be permanently removed?
Classical texts describe remedies that reduce or neutralise doshas, specific pujas, mantras, gemstones, fasts, and charitable acts. Whether a dosha is "permanently removed" is debated, but consistent remedial practice significantly reduces its manifestation in a native's life. Some doshas (like Sadesati) are transit-based and naturally resolve once the transit period ends.
What is the most feared dosha in Indian astrology?
Mangal Dosha generates the most matrimonial fear due to its prevalence in horoscope matching. Kaal Sarp Dosha generates the most general fear due to its dramatic name and reputation. However, classical Jyotish does not rank one dosha as categorically the worst, context, cancellations, and dasha periods all determine actual impact.